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What Others Are Saying
There are a number of organizations working to promote religious freedom for both Christians and non-Christians around the world. The Institute for Global Engagement works effectively with both religious and political figures in many countries around the world to find solutions to problems of religious intolerance.
Walter Russell Mead
Hudson Institute Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship, Bard College Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities, and Wall Street Journal columnist
“IGE is one of the most effective organizations in the world for opening and maintaining critical dialogue on some of the most sensitive political and human rights issues in potentially volatile regions. I have personally participated in IGE’s efforts to facilitate dialogue and advance religious freedom. IGE is the one organization I know that is an Ambassador of Reconciliation, and is often more effective than almost all government and diplomatic efforts I have seen in my 40 years of military, government, and community service.”
Geoff Davis
Member, House of Representatives (ret.) and IGE Sino-U.S. Counterterrorism Dialogue participant
Upon conclusion of the unprecedented Religious Freedom seminar, the Governor urged all levels of the government to work cooperatively with religious leaders in the province.
Governor
Huaphan Province, Laos
During one seminar, a security official in attendance apologized to a local religious group for threatening to arrest them for gathering together!
Security Official
“Our country stands ready for a broad international cooperation in this sphere of religious freedom…Together we stand at a new era of strategic partnership.”
Abdulaziz Khafizovich Kamilov
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Uzbekistan
“I hope we can educate more leaders in our organization with the same kind of training we received here. Thank you, the faculty, for traveling all the way and give us time for this training at this busy time of the year. We are also very happy to have our fellow pastors living in very remote and far away places such as Chi Hpwi, Nog Mung, Putao, Sumpra Bum, and Tachileik with us for the training. Some of them have to travel about three days to get to Mandalay from their areas. It is wonderful to see their interest and commitment for this training. They all are very much interested in this topic.”
Rev. Dr. KD Awng Nan
Department Head of Leadership and Training, Kachin Baptist Convention Headquarters, Myitkyina
Following our Religion & Rule of Law program, local partners expressed their happiness with the feedback from the participants and shared how impressed they were by the international professors. Some people who had doubts leading up to our conference–for fear of an international organization taking advantages of them–began to open their hearts as they experienced how our program was designed based off of their advice and detailed requests, not telling them what to do. The local partners were impressed with IGE’s approach and international experts’ expertise and dedication.
Local Partners & Participants
“In Vietnam, there have been many publications on religion and beliefs, but this is the first one focusing on freedom of religion and belief – a topic that many people are still hesitant to discuss. This hesitance demonstrates the need for this textbook.”
Professor Vu Cong Giao
Head of VNU Law School’s Department of Constitutional and Administrative Law; Leader of the textbook development project team
“We are very happy that we work with IGE and other partner organizations and institutions in Vietnam and in the U.S. on the process of religious freedom.”
Bui Nghi
Secretary General of the Vietnam-USA Society
“I believe that a great deal of the favor that we are shown is a direct result of our partnership with the Institute for Global Engagement. I have seen firsthand the respect that government officials have for IGE.”
Steve Parker
Executive Director of FOCHUS [faith-based non-profit based in Charlotte, NC that does community development work in the Central Highlands of Vietnam]
“Your bread and butter programs are making real impact on the ground, so please keep doing them!”
U.S. Embassy in Hanoi
During a meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam and his political officer, IGE asked how we could support the U.S. government’s efforts at improving religious freedom in Vietnam; they responded with the above quote.
“I hope that these types of programs will continue in order to make the public more aware of the importance of the guarantee of religious freedom and fundamental right to human beings.”
Pastor Nguyen Van The
Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) Church, Binh Dinh province
“Religious freedom has been regarded as more sensitive even than military issues, but IGE’s work over the past 15 years in this area is successful because of our mutual trust and respect.”
Nguyen Tam Chien
Former Vietnamese Ambassador to the U.S.
“IGE is one of the most effective organizations in the world for opening and maintaining critical dialogue on some of the most sensitive political and human rights issues in potentially volatile regions. I have personally participated in IGE’s efforts to facilitate dialogue and advance religious freedom. IGE is the one organization I know that is an Ambassador of Reconciliation, and is often more effective than almost all government and diplomatic efforts I have seen in my 40 years of military, government, and community service.”
Geoff Davis
Member, House of Representatives (ret.) and IGE Sino-U.S. Counterterrorism Dialogue participant
“IGE’s relational diplomacy names and respects theological differences while seizing upon common values and interests that build practical bridges between the heart and mind. The result is a remarkably innovative approach to religious freedom that builds peace in new and much needed ways while deepening our understanding of the complex issues at stake.”
Marc Gopin
James H. Laue Professor of Religion, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University
“I applaud the important policy work and academic initiatives that IGE is undertaking to further greater respect and reconciliation among Christian and Muslims. Their significant efforts will undoubtedly expand the boundaries of religious freedom in the world.”
John Esposito
Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University
“Our country stands ready for a broad international cooperation in this sphere of religious freedom…Together we stand at a new era of strategic partnership.”
Abdulaziz Khafizovich Kamilov
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Uzbekistan
“A visionary organization, IGE is at the leading edge of research and advocacy on religious freedom.”
Daniel Philpott
University of Notre Dame
“IGE’s innovative and comprehensive approach to religious freedom builds bridges between diplomacy, development, and defense. IGE’s ability to operate at the nexus of the public and private spheres—in a relational and relevant manner—is a model for all of us.”
J. Brady Anderson
Former USAID Administrator and former U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania
“Your bread and butter programs are making real impact on the ground, so please keep doing them!”
U.S. Embassy in Hanoi
During a meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam and his political officer, IGE asked how we could support the U.S. government’s efforts at improving religious freedom in Vietnam; they responded with the above quote.
“IGE’s thoughtful approach seeks to build relationships based on respect, the foundational understanding of the God-given dignity and value of every human being. This organization puts listening first, and seeks to understand before engaging. Far from ignoring the vital role of faith in many people’s lives, IGE seeks to build on common values that can unite people of different faiths while respecting each other’s genuine theological differences. IGE is truly building peace a person at a time.”
Karen Hughes
Former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, US State Department
“What is happening in Syria is beyond all of our imaginations and it breaks my heart…if women are not educated and empowered they will not have the ability to play a role in rebuilding security and peace. IGE’s CWFL Fellowship offered me the opportunity to increase my capacity and leadership skills. Through the Fellowship, I became a difference-maker, both in analyzing problems and implementing practical solutions.”
Ghada Ghazal, CWFL 2017-2018 Fellow
Educator from Syria; has lived abroad since 2012 due to the ongoing civil war. In Syria, she taught Islam & Arabic at the Al-Anduluse Institute for Islamic Studies, the only institute of its kind that works to empower Muslim women.
“IGE’s singular approach linking religion to security has helped in furthering religious freedom initiatives in some of the world’s most challenging regions.”
Anthony Charles Zinni
Former Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Central Command
“The Institute for Global Engagement uniquely combines nimble innovation in education with a commitment to placing dignity and faith at the center of public discussion of the world’s well-being.”
Mark P. Lagon
Former U.S. Ambassador
“IGE is providing vital leadership and a uniquely thoughtful platform for taking on some of the toughest battles for religious freedom in the world. IGE brings careful scholarship and practical expertise to the front lines of this fundamental struggle and is worthy of our vigorous encouragement and support.”
Gary Haugen
President, International Justice Mission
“Religious freedom has been regarded as more sensitive even than military issues, but IGE’s work over the past 15 years in this area is successful because of our mutual trust and respect.”
Nguyen Tam Chien
Former Vietnamese Ambassador to the U.S.
“Evangelicals ought to support the work of… the Institute for Global Engagement and other Christians doing faith-based, relational diplomacy in Muslim countries. Such peacemaking is exemplary.”
Christianity Today
“I respect IGE tremendously for its quiet, nuanced approach that is yielding real results in some of the most difficult regions in the world.”
